adminahead of the final round today at Chapman Golf Club.
Still buoyed by his recent win at the NetOne Bulawayo series, Mketekete was leading 46 other golfers at the close of play yesterday.
The NetOne Series last week was the first stop of the Zambezi Tour while the Open Classic is the second event.
Yesterday, Mketekete finished with a two-stroke lead over three players who shot one under-par 71.
Brian Gondo was tied up with Tich Musemburi, who is having a good season, and Trynos Muradzikwa.
Mketekete is getting better with every outing and expects to maintain the good form as he goes into today’s round.
“My game was good, especially after coming from winning in Bulawayo. It gives me confidence,” Mketekete said.
“I will just relax and I do not want give myself unnecessary pressure after the first round.
‘I am happy that I managed to break even and I hope to improve my scores for the better tomorrow (today).
“It is my hope to go out and play well and take whatever comes. We will see as I know everyone has the potential to win.
“We play in the same bracket and the competition will be high, especially on the last day,” said Mketekete.
The golfers will go into today’s round knowing pretty well that they have to give it all they have to beat Mketekete.
The last ball of the day will have Masemburi, Mketekete and Muradzikwa in what is expected to be a competitive three-ball. Mike Lamb and Phillip Tshuma will join Gondo in the second last three-ball.
Tshuma, Lamb, Lyford Yadyo and amateur golfer Scott Vincent were on level par 72 after the first round.
Vincent, the only amateur taking part in the tournament, managed to give the professional golfers a good run.
Nyasha Muyambo, playing his second professional tournament, did not disappoint as he was lying on one-over-par 73. He was tied with Shane Pringle.
The tournament is sponsored to the turn of US$10 000 by the Open Committee.
The tournament will end today and there will be an official launch of the Zambezi Tour, which is an independent body, which will look in the affairs of professional golfers.
The launch will take part at Chapman, the golf club which the Zambezi Tour will call its home.
Online Reporter